Tech opens vaccine document portal

Proof of shot, dissent required for registration

With about a month left until registration for winter quarter, Louisiana Tech University has opened up the process for students to turn in documentation proving they’re vaccinated against COVID-19 — or a dissent form saying they don’t want to be.

The inoculation against the sometimes deadly respiratory virus was added to the list of required vaccinations on college campuses across Louisiana in August, but that move’s effect on registration won’t kick in until the next period, which for Tech is winter quarter.

In order to register for classes, students will have to upload a copy of their vaccination card and accompanying information, or else turn in a doctor’s letter listing the medical reasons for not receiving the vaccine or simply a letter of dissent against receiving it.

Tech President Les Guice announced Monday that the portal for uploading this documentation is now live. A link to the dissent form will appear for students who want it after they log in to the portal.

“Current students should take care of this important part of the registration process as soon as possible, and I ask all of our academic advisors to add a reminder to their list of discussion items for advising appointments,” Guice said.

Louisiana is one of 15 states to have philosophical dissent from any kind of school immunization requirements built into its law.

Legally, as with other diseases, the Office of Public Health could allow universities to remove the unvaccinated population from campus in the event of an outbreak, though officials in August said this wasn’t being considered.

Tech continues to offer free vaccinations to the campus and broader area communities at the Ropp Center on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.